Picture a Tree

Written & Illustrated by Barbara Reid. Scholastic Canada

Picture a tree – what do you see?

From bare branches tracing the sky to an explosion of colour, a place for adventure or a friend to shelter us from the sun-a tree can be so many things. With lyrical text and her signature Plasticine magic, Barbara Reid captures these majestic beings: in every season, growing and changing, interacting with the people and animals around them.

Picture a tree – now, look again!

Available in French

Picture a Tree

Winner

  • 2012 Libris Children’s Picture Book of the Year
  • The Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens, starred selection
  • OLA Best Bets for Children Selection
  • Toronto Public Library First & Best List
  • USBBY Outstanding International Book

Shortlisted

  • The Governor General’s Award for Illustration
  • The Amelia Francis Howard Gibbon award for Illustration
  • The Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Picture Book Award
  • The Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
  • The Shining Willow Award

Readers will marvel at the details….a special book indeed.

— Kirkus, starred review

From striking double -page spreads to inviting endpapers, these delightful illustrations reward close attention with clever details.

— Booklist, starred review

…the premise here is original; the artistry, stunning. The forty value-added vignettes on the endpapers make us reluctant to close the book.

— Hornbook, starred review

This is a book to open the artist’s eye in any reader.

— Quill and Quire, starred review

****/4 … Reid invites her young readers to see the true majesty of nature’s bounty.

— Canadian Materials

Book illustration, "Picture a Tree", client: Scholastic Canada. © Barbara Reid Book illustration, "Picture a Tree", client: Scholastic Canada. © Barbara Reid Book illustration, "Picture a Tree", client: Scholastic Canada. © Barbara Reid

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Age and curriculum suggestions

Videos

Spring Pussy Willows

A complete demonstration of a simple “sketch” picture incorporating essential techniques for working with plasticine.

Summer Tree

A complete demonstration of a simple “sketch” picture incorporating essential techniques for working with plasticine.

Autumn Pine Tree

A complete demonstration of a simple “sketch” picture incorporating essential techniques for working with plasticine.

Winter Branches

A complete demonstration of a simple “sketch” picture incorporating essential techniques for working with plasticine.

Behind the Scenes: Making Picture a Tree

Creating the artwork for Picture a Tree – a behind the scenes look…

Activities